Managing Director

Andrew Carnie

Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in marine, mining and civil engineering, having built a career spanning over 25 years across multiple countries in Asia and Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from Victoria University and an MBA in Technology from La Trobe University.

Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in marine, mining and civil engineering, having built a career spanning over 25 years across multiple countries in Asia and Australia. His extensive career includes nearly 20 years with McConnell Dowell, delivering large marine and civil projects in the Asia-Pacific region for major global clients, and more recently working with Monadelphous and Lycopodium supporting some of Australia’s largest resource and energy developments.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from Victoria University and an MBA in Technology from La Trobe University.
General Manager - Marine and Piling

David Brough

David Brough is a well-known leader in the Australian marine construction industry and has over 30 years of experience.

David Brough is a well-known leader in the Australian marine construction industry and has over 30 years of experience.

David has been working in Australia since 2004 and has held Senior Leadership positions with contractors which include Laing O’Rourke, Georgiou, Samsung C&T and Brady Marine.

David operates with a collaborative style and always endeavors to achieve “best for project” outcomes.

National Commercial Manager

Jason Davies

Jason is an experienced professional in the Construction Industry with a 20-year international track record. He specializes in Contracts and Commercial Management across diverse sectors such as Renewable, Energy, Mining, and Heavy Civils.

Jason is an experienced professional in the Construction Industry with a 20-year international track record. He specializes in Contracts and Commercial Management across diverse sectors such as Renewable, Energy, Mining, and Heavy Civils. With extensive international and multicultural experience, Jason has successfully completed projects across various continents, deepening his understanding of different business environments and enhancing his adaptability to global contexts.
Throughout his career, Jason has worked with a wide range of standard form and bespoke contracts. His expertise lies in tendering, negotiation, and contract management, enabling him to effectively oversee complex projects. Additionally, he genuine passion for mentoring and developing junior team members.
Jason's academic achievements include a Master of Law (LLM) in Construction Law in Practice with Distinction, an Honours Degree in International Business Administration, and a Degree in Construction Management.
Marine Principal

Mark Johnson

With more than 30 years' experience in the piling and construction industries, Mark Johnson is a true expert and leader. His Austral career began in 1989 as site supervisor, which led him to superintendent within a handful of years.

With more than 30 years' experience in the piling and construction industries, Mark Johnson is a true expert and leader. His Austral career began in 1989 as site supervisor, which led him to superintendent within a handful of years. Mark's wide skill-set and ability to coordinate projects, evaluate materials, read and interpret drawings, monitor schedules, and lead a team earned him the title of Marine Principal in 2023.
Mark's involvement and management in key Austral projects such as the Eden Wave Attenuator, Dampier Fuel Wharf upgrade, Nowra Bridge, and the Swanson Dock West Wharf remediation, to name a few, has contributed to the success of each.
Senior Project Development Manager

Chris Brown

Chris has over 25 years experience in industry delivering valued solutions to client challenges with extensive experience with piling, ground improvement within the mining, residential, commercial, infrastructure, defence and marine markets.

Chris has over 25 years experience in industry delivering valued solutions to client challenges with extensive experience with piling, ground improvement within the mining, residential, commercial, infrastructure, defence and marine markets. He has experience solving challenges and delivering successful project outcomes for projects across Australia and the Indo-Pacific and with early contractor involvement to identify and optimise innovative solutions to various client project challenges.
General Manager - Civil & Mining

Heath Keetelaar

Heath Keetelaar has over 20 years of experience in the civil construction and mining industry commencing as a survey technician and progressing through to senior surveyor on large-scale earthworks, concrete and structural projects throughout Victoria and Western Australia.

Heath Keetelaar has over 20 years of experience in the civil construction and mining industry commencing as a survey technician and progressing through to senior surveyor on large scale earthworks, concrete and structural projects throughout Victoria and Western Australia.

Extensive knowledge gained in design manipulation through to digital models for machine control and set out of major projects has allowed Heath to obtain the diverse experience required to progress into Project Engineering and Management roles over the past 10 years. Currently Rail Renewals Manager of our Civil Rail division, Heath’s professional manner allows full transparency for our clients to rely on his construction and logistical knowledge to ensure all projects are completed in a safe and proficient manner.

National Business Development & Estimating Manager

Nicholas Hewitt

Nicholas Hewitt commenced work with Austral in 2011 and has over 10 years of experience in the construction industry, including Civil and Marine construction in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia.

Nicholas Hewitt commenced work with Austral in 2011 and has over 10 years of experience in the construction industry, including Civil and Marine construction in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia.

Nicholas has worked on major projects as well as business critical and remediation projects, completed within limited time frames. His experience across the project cycle includes feasibility, design, estimation, programming and construction resulting in successful coordination, management, and communication throughout the project. Nicholas' founding in the industry has allowed him to work strongly in a team by facilitating and supervising all aspects of a project, as well as mentoring those in his team for future leadership positions.

In 2022, Nicholas was promoted to the NPI (Non-Process Infrastructure) Manager overseeing the NPI team.

National Plant Manager

Jason Hill

Joining the Austral team in 2026, Jason is an experienced operational leader with a strong background in the resources and heavy equipment sectors across Western Australia. Jason has extensive experience leading teams and operations across regional and remote locations, including Port Hedland, Karratha, Tom Price, Broome and Kununurra.

Joining the Austral team in 2026, Jason is an experienced operational leader with a strong background in the resources and heavy equipment sectors across Western Australia.
National Engineering Manager

Michael Wilkinson

Michael Wilkinson is an accomplished engineering professional with more than 15 years of experience across civil, rail, marine and piling disciplines. Michael provides strategic and technical leadership across the project lifecycle. He is responsible for the Engineering and Quality Management Function and ensuring alignment between engineering, construction and business objectives.

Michael Wilkinson is an accomplished engineering professional with more than 15 years of experience across civil, rail, marine and piling disciplines.
Chief Financial Officer

Suzanne Tuite

Suzanne has over 25 years of finance experience across multiple industries including Mining, Engineering and Consulting having worked for organisations such as Mineral Resources, Worley, AMEC Foster Wheeler and Ernst and Young.

Suzanne has over 25 years of finance experience across multiple industries including Mining, Engineering and Consulting having worked for organisations such as Mineral Resources, Worley, AMEC Foster Wheeler and Ernst and Young.
Suzanne is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration.
National HR Manager

Damien Waller

Damien is an experienced people leader with over 20 years Human Resources experience across multiple industries including construction, building, engineering, rail and marine.

Damien is an experienced people leader with over 20 years Human Resources experience across multiple industries including construction, building, engineering, rail and marine.

Damien has extensive knowledge in all facets of Human Resources including, resourcing, HR systems, remuneration and reward, learning and development, workforce planning within the fast placed construction environment.

With a collaborative approach to Human Resources enables the team to partner with the business to active project and operational objectives as a key pillar to Austral Constructions success.

National HSE Manager

Nicole Southcott

Nicole Southcott has over 10 years of experience in the industry specialising in occupational health and safety and environmental management.

Nicole Southcott has over 10 years of experience in the industry specialising in occupational health and safety and environmental management.

Nicole joined Austral in 2013 as a HSEQ Advisor on a large marine construction project in the Pilbara region. In 2018, Nicole was promoted to the role of HSE Superintendent to reflect a broader role of IMS development, implantation and monitoring throughout the business and across all projects.

As Nicole has held site-based, senior advisor and regional HSE roles for Austral, she has extensive knowledge of the business and a wide network of contacts and relationships. This led Nicole to be promoted to HSE Manager in 2022.

National Business Systems Manager

Matthew Birchall

Matthew Birchall commenced with Austral in 2021 with over 25 years’ experience transforming organizations through the lean process.

Matthew Birchall commenced with Austral in 2021 with over 25 years’ experience transforming organizations through the lean process. With a background and education in lean manufacturing from early in his career, Matthew has successfully implemented lean strategies in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. This experience filled him with a passion for operational excellence, which he now brings to Austral to help our team and organisation realise its potential.